Recommendations Would Give Health Care To More Children, Increase Access To Child Care

Gov. Mike Easley said today his 2008-09 budget proposal will recommend spending an additional $31 million to help those who often are overlooked by society but are the most in need. The budget the governor will present to the General Assembly next week will provide additional funds for: health insurance for children in need through the Health Choice program; assistance to those at the greatest threat of foreclosure on their homes; increased aid to those in need of child care; and job-site inspections and assistance to workers in the state’s poultry industry.

“One of the most important roles of government is to look after and protect the basic human rights of those who cannot stand up for themselves,” Easley said. “Without this support, these people would be neglected and would not receive the critical aid they need o help them lead fuller lives and be productive members of our society.”

The governor’s budget proposal includes:

• $10.4 million to match federal child health insurance funding to serve an additional 10,683 children in need.
• $9 million in federal block grant dollars to take 1,110 children off child care waiting lists.
• $8.3 million to increase foster care and adoption payments to encourage quality care for more children.
• $1 million for the Health Quality Initiative that will fundamentally restructure the delivery of health care in North Carolina by standardizing the level of care and insurance coverage for the five most chronic conditions: diabetes; asthma; hypertension; congestive heart failure; and heart attack.
• $1 million to increase inspections of poultry plants and assure proper working conditions.
• $1 million to support homeowners who face foreclosure by helping find alternatives through housing counselors who will help develop deferred payments, modified loan terms, freezing interest rates or other options to help keep citizens in their homes. The counselors will work with the state Housing Finance Agency and the state Commissioner of Banks.
• $714,000 to help prevent exposure to agricultural pesticides including increased education efforts for farm workers, additional trainers, increased field inspections and compliance monitoring and illness and injury reporting.
• $600,000 to assist rape victims and pay for medical examination and evidence kits.

Easley will release complete details of his 2008-09 budget proposal next week.